Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-05
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE HOUSE CAUCCSEs.
End Of the Confess ever The Deorkeeper.
ship.

End Of the Confess ever The Deorkeeper.
ship.
Mr. HURT pgrBArs MR.. DoSxIsoN-A PERSONAL
ExcouSrnR sEfoRs THE RESULT WAS RxAcHED-
srnAxFs cARLIsLEs LITTLE SPEECH.
The caucus OF democratic Representatives was
held In the hall OF the House Saturday night 10
nominate the speaker and officers OF the House.
Though there WAS but one contest the work was
astSnded by considerable excitement, and q scene
Of personal violence occurred before it was accom-
plished. The only contest, aside from a thin ng
one over the chaplaincy, was for the election OF
doorkeeper OF the House. AL the other old oficers
were elected BY reclamation. A violent opposition
had sprung up against Mr.. Donelson the principal
reason for which was presented In charges against
his moral character and the management OF his
once, which, IN the opinion OF certain MEMBERS
disqualified him for further honOrs at the hands
OF the party. The night was very bitter between
Mr.. Donelson and his opponents. several candi-
dates appeared In the Held, but the fight was be-
tween NT DOnelson and Mr.. A Il. Hurt, OF Mfssis-
sippi. The various candidates had headquarters
In convenient committee rooms, and from O'Clock
until near midnight the corridors and the head.
quarters Of the principal candidates were crowded
with people In some way Interested In the result
Nh cARLIsIEs SPEECH.
Mr.. Coz, Of New York, presided at the caucus
The name OF Mr.. Carlisle was presented for speaker
w Nr Breckenridge, OF Kentucky; seconded by
Nj. Sowden, Of Pennsylvania, and the speaker was
renominated by acclamation. In response TO
the announcement OF the result, Mr.. Carlisle
said. after the proper expression OF thanks: "AS
the representatives OF the people we are sent here
require And we must do it, or at least make an
honest EFFORT 20 do It. With an united harmon-
Gus democratic majority IL Is impossible for US 70
for US 70 succeed at least success would be ex-
trensly doubtful IL Is therefore, Of the highest
Importance that we should reconcile, II possible
All differences OF opinion among ourselves before
engaging In q contest with the common enemy.
III wecan agree among ourselves on essential points
we can well anord. In view OF the critical condl-
tion OF the country, 10 postpone discussion Of
minor matters until O more appropriate time
highest considerations OF party expediency and
the public welfare.
orHER NOMINATIONS
Gen. Jno b Clark, jr., of Missouri for clerk; Mr..
J. p. Leedom, OF Ohio, for sergeant-at-arms; and
Nj. Lycurgus Dalton, OF Indiana, for postmaster,
Milburn, Of Illinois, for chaplain, had some oppo-
sttion, but was easily nominated. The tight over
the doorkeepership took up much time, and lead to
APERsOSAL KNcouNTER
between Mr.. Breckenridge, OF Arkansas, and Mr..
Biount, Of Georgia The former was thoroughly
convinced Of Mr.. Donelsons unfitnesS for the once
and the latter was Mr. Donelson's warm friend and
supporter. Nj. Breckenridge presented the charges
against MT. DonelSon, and made calm but terri
bic arraignment OF him Mr. Blount replied with
up In the interest OF another candidate Mr. Breck-
enridge interrupted him, as Is stated by some OF
those who witnessed the scene to say that he had
no candidate for the Office. Notwithstanding this
Mr.. Blount repeated the statement
THAT statement is disnonorabie TO me!- said
Mr.. Breckenridge.
The excited Georgian misunderstood this remark
20 be a reflection ON his own honor, and In an in
slant had struck Mr. Breckenridge in the face.
The blow was returned promptly, and each man
mad bloody mark on his face. The Georgian is
rather O large and very muscularly built man,
while the other Is a little man, who, however, has
a quickness and activity about him that might
make him dangerous antagonist. In an Instant
members had rushed between the two men, and
there was q scene OF wild confusion Tor awhile.
Thrre was an earnestness about the two men that
made IL difficult 10 separate them But Mr.. Blount
was Informed OF his mistake by some cooler mem
bers, and FASTENED TO apologize 10 his antagonist.
The apology was accepted, and the difficulty ad-
Justed-
poNKLsoN's DEFKAr.
When the question OF nomination came TO a
vote the result OF the first ballot as follows:
Donelson, OF Tennessee, ~; Hurt, OF Mississippi
50; Reeder, Of Pennsylvania, 3; Raines of New
York, -; House, OF Michigan, 5. The Raines men
then went over TO Mr. Hurt, and he was nominated
on the second ballot.
Mr. Hurt was clerk 10 the House Post-Orlce Com
mittee during the 4sth Congress- when Mr.. Money,
OF Mississippi, was chairman OF that committee,
and became very popular then through his gen.
tlenanly and accommodating manners. Since
then he has held good position In the PostOfi1ce
Department.